Wednesday, November 2

Week 10 Picks: Experts Edition

This week, we’ve hired some help to set the table for this weekend’s games. Specifically, we’ve brought in some of the sharpest minds from the college football blogosphere to weigh in on the week’s toughest games. Joining ATL for the week’s picks are the authors from Heisman Pundit (HP), Boi From Troy (BFT), MGoBlog (MGB), and Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer (RJYH). Some of the comments are thoughtful, some humorous. Enjoy and happy betting this weekend.

Top BCS Threat Game

Blog

Miami +6 @ Virginia Tech

Pick

ATL

One step closer to chaos. Texas fans start to sweat

Va Tech

HP

Game should be close for a couple quarters, but then the crowd noise and the pressure of the situation will cause the ‘Canes to collapse under the accumulated weight of it all. The Hokies, my #2 team in the country, will win going away and cover easily.

Va Tech

BFT

Vick is too slick for ‘Canes defense.

Va Tech

MGB

Virginia Tech is the Wayne Brady of college football. Does Virginia Tech have to choke a ‘Cane? Yessir.

Va Tech

RJYH

VT wins but doesn't beat the spread.

Miami

Consensus

4 votes to 1

Va Tech

Top Laugh At Your Rivals’ Struggles Game

Blog

Texas A&M +16.5 @ Texas Tech

Pick

ATL

See Nebraska’s visit to Lubbock last season. This one gets ugly.

TX Tech

HP

For some reason, Texas A&M seems to have the athletes to play with Tech’s scheme. Last year, the Aggies beat the Red Raiders and, while I don’t think they’ll win this time, I do think that A&M will cover the 16.5 point spread as Franchione is in a survival game.

A&M

BFT

The only ATM game I watched was against Baylor, so I’ll go for the Red Raiders here.

TX Tech

MGB

6-0 in the fourth quarter against Baylor or 49 points to ISU? Dunno. This spread is too big, though.

A&M

RJYH

Wow. What has happened to Fran? Wasn't he supposed to be genius? Take Tech and give the points, with 14 to spare.

TX Tech

Consensus

3 votes to 2

TX Tech

Top Coaches Going in Opposite Directions Game

Blog

Tennessee +8 @ Notre Dame

Pick

ATL

Coaching 101: Do not rotate QBs.

ND

HP

Once again, we’ll see how a talented defense that is unfamiliar with sophisticated offensive schemes can be made to look really silly. Notre Dame should cover this spread with ease. Tennessee is the Michigan of the SEC—great talent, lousy coaching, ignorant fans. All three will be on display in South Bend.

ND

BFT

OMG Brady Quinn is so hot.

ND

MGB

Alert local chili cheese fries! They are in grave danger! So is Brady Quinn. That Mahelona guy is worth at least a cover.

TN

RJYH

I think this will be a close one, then ND will win it. Maybe the Vols will even fumble on the goal line at the end; they're good at that.

Baylor is one of the most improved teams in the country. They could have beaten Oklahoma and Texas A&M. They are especially stout on defense and I think that the Longhorns will fail to cover for the second week in a row.

Baylor

BFT

We’ll see if Baylor has gotten better or if the Big XII has gotten worse. Y’all tell me it’s the former so I am going with the Bears to cover.

Baylor

MGB

Not very.

Texas

RJYH

I think Baylor leads at the end of one, then the Horns go on to win by at least 4000 points. Vince Young is that good.

Texas

Consensus

3 votes to 2

Texas

Top Mismatch Game

Blog

Stanford +33.5 @ USC

Pick

ATL

Blowing a 21 point lead with 8 minutes left is grounds for firing. Stanford is a disgrace.

USC

HP

I believe this is less of a mismatch than the Texas-Baylor game, but the spread doesn’t bear it out. Stanford has a very sound scheme and will be able to move the ball some. USC is averaging over 700 yards of offense per game at home this year and should approach that level again, but won’t cover the spread.

Stanford

BFT

Stanford is better than most of you think—and it’s hard for the Trojans to win by 5 TDs every week like Vegas is asking. Bet the Farm.

Stanford

MGB

I have no idea. When in doubt, do not pick teams that lost to UC-Davis.

USC

RJYH

I won't be able to watch this game because the V-chip in my TV blocks out extreme violence. Someone let me know if there are any survivors on theCardinal side. I'll be praying for them.

USC

Consensus

3 votes to 2

USC

Top Try To Figure Out The Pac 10 Game

Blog

UCLA -9.5 @ Arizona

Pick

ATL

Arizona in a stunner. Sorry BFT, your Bruins are a BFJ.

Arizona

HP

What usually happens after a new quarterback’s stellar debut is that the wheels come off shortly after. This should happen to Tuitama of Arizona against UCLA, leading to a rare breather of a week for the Bruins. UCLA covers solidly.

UCLA

BFT

Not hard to figure. UCLA spots opponents 28 points in fourth quarter this week, but eeks out a win.

Arizona

MGB

Since UCLA will be behind by two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and still win a cover seems unlikely.

Arizona

RJYH

UCLA is on a roll. And they will keep rolling, by more than 2 TDs.

UCLA

Consensus

3 votes to 2

Arizona

Top Who Wants the Big 10 Game

Blog

Wisconsin +10.5 @ Penn State

Pick

ATL

Badgers score enough to keep it close.

Wisconsin

HP

Happy Valley is too tough of a place for Wisconsin to win. The Badgers are fairly one-dimensional, which plays into Penn State’s hands. Badgers cover, but lose.

Wisconsin

BFT

Wisconsin running game badgers Lions. On Wisconsin!

Wisconsin

MGB

Isn't this a ginormous line for this game? Is Penn State really more than a touchdown and a field goal better than a UW team that has freakin' Calhoun?

Wisconsin (to win!)

RJYH

Man this is tough. Wisconsin may win but not by 10 points. Maybe not even at all. Badgers in a squeaker.

A tough crowd here on Hblog. First off thanks for the guest picks, i know personally that it's not easy to lay your picks (against the spread) out for public scrutiny. Going 50% is a nice showing.The picks of the week are probably my favorite posts on this blog. Mostly because I like gambling a little on college football (for fun not profit), because I love watching any game on TV and having money on it just makes me that much more into the game b/c I have to pick a team to root for. I would actually appreciate a post that somehow people would talk about what games they have picked for the weekend and how much they bet or at least their confidence level. Maybe that's just me.RJYH - your comment about Wisconsin is confusing. I am also surprised that the Wisconsin game was Hblog's Mortal lock. I am staying away from that game this weekend fo' sho. I would have to say that Texas is a much better game to put money on just based on recent history.-MH

Holt - glad that you like these picks. We do too, even when we suck. Also, much, much love to Brain of MGoBlog for helping me get the picks in to reader-friendly tables. Brian is not only a good writer, but a friendly co-blogger. Stand up guy. Read his shit daily. I mean it - you'll be smarter for doing so.